Neighbour wants access for repairs after harassment

Bendy_House

I agree, DIY. It needs to be judged.

I really meant they are 'entitled' to explain, if it's clear something is amiss - not that they should 'look' for an opportunity. And, yes, the roofers will just want to get the job done.

Depending on the type of 'dysfunction' involved, it sometimes doesn't pay to be too accepting for a quiet life, tho', as some will be emboldened by this. It's a power game for them, and they just can't help trying it on and on. If a neighb is completely out of order, then it may need to be said, loudly and clearly; they hate an audience... 

insomniac-uk

diystarter7 said:

 Consider all requests rationally, sleep on it, possibly consult another roofer or the one doing the job. Often the tradesman/etc just want to do the job, get paid and move on and often be netural and polite.

That's why I am waiting till tomorrow to reply. I did speak to the roofer doing the job, I did ask him politely if he had the time so I could speak to him about access, but his tone of voice changed from polite to rude, he told me he did not need access nor did he want it. I have no idea what my neighbour told him to behave this way, like I said they can be nice when they want something. That's why I am staying away once the works starts.

Bendy_House said:

Depending on the type of 'dysfunction' involved, it sometimes doesn't pay to be too accepting for a quiet life, tho', as some will be emboldened by this. It's a power game for them, and they just can't help trying it on and on. If a neighb is completely out of order, then it may need to be said, loudly and clearly; they hate an audience... 

Being too polite is not good, even in this situation I gave them most of the things they demanded, with 10+ notes they wrote to me about the access they never said please once and I only got one thank you only because they wanted the number to my roofer. The only time I asked them for something in this situation, I need a few days to contact my insurance legal team to ask if I'm protected they started threatening me with court. Sometimes no matter how polite you are the other person will not let you have a peaceful life.

RAS

Don't even write to your neighbour about this now. That'll only highlight that you've spoken to the builder and invite another response from them. It's just poking the hornet's nest.

Unless of course you get another note on the subject.

Section62

insomniac-uk said:

diystarter7 said:

 Consider all requests rationally, sleep on it, possibly consult another roofer or the one doing the job. Often the tradesman/etc just want to do the job, get paid and move on and often be netural and polite.

That's why I am waiting till tomorrow to reply. I did speak to the roofer doing the job, I did ask him politely if he had the time so I could speak to him about access, but his tone of voice changed from polite to rude, he told me he did not need access nor did he want it. I have no idea what my neighbour told him to behave this way, like I said they can be nice when they want something. That's why I am staying away once the works starts.

Although there is no excuse for being outright rude, I don't think the neighbours need to have said anything about you to the roofer for him to react in this way.

You aren't his client, and through your actions you've made his job harder.  That was your right, and I'm not criticising you for it.

However, (and contrary to some popular opinion) traders generally like to get on with jobs using the least complicated method (conducive to safety and economy) and view 'hassle' as something to be avoided.

You've made your position clear (you'll allow access with strings attached) and the client/roofer has decided this isn't a route they want to go down so have started to plan an alternative approach.

The roofer won't want to discuss access with you now - it is clear that option will be 'difficult' (no matter how accommodating you may now be) - so there is absolutely no value for the roofer in discussing it with you, especially when you aren't the client paying for his time.  He will (if he's sensible) want to keep out of the dispute between you and your neighbour because there is absolutely nothing for him to gain through that involvement.

He is probably now regretting taking this job on.  The last thing he will want to do is spend his valuable time talking to you about it.  If you didn't pick up on a hint of that at the start of the conversation then I could see how that might easily lead to a prompt switch to him being very direct in his responses to you.

If the roofer doesn't need access to your property then you've effectively got the result you wanted.  In your position I would leave it at that unless anything else happens.

insomniac-uk

I don't blame the roofer at all, I would be annoyed too.

All my neighbour had to do was wait another day, I heard back from my insurance today. They told me I was protected as the roofer had liability insurance but if that failed, as I have legal cover they would next go to my neighbour to claim for any damages. I just wanted to be sure I was protected, as I wasn't fully aware on how things worked and wanted to ask an expert.

As for the note, I agree if it was anyone else I wouldn't have sent one. I'm just sending one as I know if they won't stop messaging me till I explain to them I know they have other access points, just in case they have to go with someone else, as they are still waiting for their insurance to decide. They will bombard me with letters threatening court action till I comply, or my favourite insult from them 'you are horrible people and your deceased parents will be ashamed of you' I just don't want to hear it right now as it was my dad's birthday a couple of days ago.

Thank you again everyone, I really appreciate the help

Bendy_House

insomniac-uk said:

They will bombard me with letters threatening court action till I comply, or my favourite insult from them 'you are horrible people and your deceased parents will be ashamed of you' I just don't want to hear it right now as it was my dad's birthday a couple of days ago.

Is that part of the historic issue, or have they done this since then? If the latter, it is continued harassment, and should be reported to the police.

m0bov

Section62 said:

DE_612183 said:

In this situation I think I'd refuse point blank - the neighbour will probably try to come round under the guise of 
2inspecting the work he's paying for" so it would be a no from me unless you get that agreement for him not to come onto your peoperty

The risk of refusing point blank is.

The OP is not refusing access

m0bov

OP, I think you are over thinking this. The roofer does'nt need access, the end.

I'd just get on with things. Still do CCTV and take pics, but just leave them to it.

Each time you write a note, you risk them accusing you of harressment.

billy2shots

m0bov said:

OP, I think you are over thinking this. The roofer does'nt need access, the end.

I'd just get on with things. Still do CCTV and take pics, but just leave them to it.

Each time you write a note, you risk them accusing you of harressment.

This. 

You didn't need to call the roofer. 

You don't need to send a note. 

The roofer was probably pre warned that you will get involved. 
You proved them correct with your unsolicited call to the roofer. He was probably annoyed and short with you for just cause. 

It doesn't matter who started what. Every future action is in your hands. 

Try and relax a little and don't go from the victim (in your opinion) to becoming the troublemaker. . 

insomniac-uk

Thanks you're right, no more notes, I'm just going to put a camera up and just go back to ignoring them, I'll probably be at work when they do the work anyway. Hopefully I won't get in trouble for the call to the roofer, I just spoke to them the once for less than a minute